“As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he has worked nonstop to deliver much needed relief to deserving immigrant families and to protect the civil rights of Latinos and all Americans,” Obama said.

Despite his accomplishments on a national scale, Gonzalez, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, strived to help local interests.

His legacy includes working on Capitol Hil to help local officials, business and civic leaders to improve public transportation, education, build a new hospital at Lackland AFB and bring intelligence agencies to San Antonio.

“We increased Pell grants to make student loans more affordable, and I am proud of VIA and what we were able to do with public transportation,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also voted for the Affordable Care Act, which is praised by Democrats and demonized by Republicans, who made it a central part of the 2010 election strategy that helped them take control of the House.

The 20th Congressional District includes inner-city San Antonio, with nearly 70 percent minority residents and a median income of roughly $31,900 a year.

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (CHCI photo)

Gonzalez said health insurance reform and availability is important to San Antonio’s working-class neighborhoods, and passing the bill will help those most in need.

“I do view that as a great accomplishment,” Gonzalez said.

With regards to civil rights, Gonzalez followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez, who fought discrimination and opened the door for all minorities in the 1960s and 1970s.

Gonzalez led a congressional task force in 2007 into voting irregularities with voting machines in Florida’s 13th congressional district.

His work on the task force paved the way for his election to chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where he has used the platform to strike out at voter suppression and to uphold voter and civil rights.

Gonzalez said he has been voice for all constituents, and he takes pride in his electoral success among all racial groups in his district.

But he says his responsibility also has been to provide a voice “for greater opportunity for Hispanics in the public and private sectors.”

The decision to step down to seek other opportunities that provide more financial stability for his family has been gut-wrenching, Gonzalez said.